In this episode of the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds podcast we sit down with renowned veterinary anesthesiologist Dr. Sheilah Robertson to tackle the unique challenges of pediatric anesthesia. When dealing with tiny kittens and puppies, Dr. Robertson shares her expertise on how physiology, drug metabolism, and peri-anesthetic care differ in young patients. The conversation covers practical considerations such as choosing safe induction agents, managing hypothermia and hypoglycemia, and setting realistic expectations with pet owners. With her wealth of clinical experience, Dr. Robertson offers evidence-based tips and pearls that help veterinary teams feel more confident providing anesthesia to their smallest and most fragile patients.
Dr. Sheilah Robertson is an internationally recognized veterinary anesthesiologist and animal welfare advocate with a career spanning academia, clinical practice, research, and leadership. A graduate of the University of Glasgow with a PhD from Bristol, she is board-certified in anesthesia and animal welfare, and currently serves as Senior Medical Director at Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and Courtesy Professor at the University of Florida. She has published extensively on pain management and anesthesia, contributed to global guidelines such as the WSAVA Pain Council and AAFP Feline Anesthesia Guidelines, and held leadership roles including President of the ACVAA. Her contributions have earned her numerous honors, including the AVMA Animal Welfare Award and the WVA Global Veterinary Award for Animal Welfare.
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In this episode of the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds podcast we sit down with renowned veterinary anesthesiologist Dr. Sheilah Robertson to tackle the unique challenges of pediatric anesthesia. When dealing with tiny kittens and puppies, Dr. Robertson shares her expertise on how physiology, drug metabolism, and peri-anesthetic care differ in young patients. The conversation covers practical considerations such as choosing safe induction agents, managing hypothermia and hypoglycemia, and setting realistic expectations with pet owners. With her wealth of clinical experience, Dr. Robertson offers evidence-based tips and pearls that help veterinary teams feel more confident providing anesthesia to their smallest and most fragile patients.
Dr. Sheilah Robertson is an internationally recognized veterinary anesthesiologist and animal welfare advocate with a career spanning academia, clinical practice, research, and leadership. A graduate of the University of Glasgow with a PhD from Bristol, she is board-certified in anesthesia and animal welfare, and currently serves as Senior Medical Director at Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and Courtesy Professor at the University of Florida. She has published extensively on pain management and anesthesia, contributed to global guidelines such as the WSAVA Pain Council and AAFP Feline Anesthesia Guidelines, and held leadership roles including President of the ACVAA. Her contributions have earned her numerous honors, including the AVMA Animal Welfare Award and the WVA Global Veterinary Award for Animal Welfare.
We are all taught in school that if a patient become hypotensive, they should receive a fluid bolus. But, does that make sense for all patients? When do you reach for an anticholinergic? When do you start that dopamine or norepi?
Amanda Shelby RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) is here to explain it all to us.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
1. Harro C, Foster JD. The effect of circumferential tape applied to the cuff during blood pressure measurement in cats. Abstract presented at: 40th American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum; June 16, 2023; Philadelphia, PA.
2. Martinez AB, Cochran LA, Ishak AM, Keys DA, Frederick SW. Secondary fastener (tape) placement on a blood pressure cuff causes interindividual Doppler blood pressure measurement variability in healthy large-breed dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2024 Aug 30;1(aop):1-6.
3. Cerejo SA, Teixeira‐Neto FJ, Garofalo NA, Rodrigues JC, Celeita‐Rodríguez N, Lagos‐Carvajal AP. Comparison of two species‐specific oscillometric blood pressure monitors with direct blood pressure measurement in anesthetized cats. Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. 2017 Jul;27(4):409-18.
4. Garofalo NA, Neto FJ, Alvaides RK, de Oliveira FA, Pignaton W, Pinheiro RT. Agreement between direct, oscillometric and Doppler ultrasound blood pressures using three different cuff positions in anesthetized dogs. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 2012 Jul 1;39(4):324-34.
5. CAULKETT NA, CANTWELL SL, HOUSTON DM. A comparison of indirect blood pressure monitoring techniques in the anesthetized cat. Veterinary Surgery. 1998 Jul;27(4):370-7.
6. Acierno MJ, Seaton D, Mitchell MA, Da Cunha A. Agreement between directly measured blood pressure and pressures obtained with three veterinary-specific oscillometric units in cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2010 Aug 15;237(4):402-6.
7. Shih A, Robertson S, Vigani A, Da Cunha A, Pablo L, Bandt C. Evaluation of an indirect oscillometric blood pressure monitor in normotensive and hypotensive anesthetized dogs. Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. 2010 Jun;20(3):313-8.
8. Moll X et al. Validity and reliability of Doppler ultrasonography and direct arterial blood pressure measurements in anaesthetized dogs weighing less than 5 kg. VAA 2018;45:135-144.
9. Vachon C, Belanger MC, Burns PM. Evaluation of oscillometric and Doppler ultrasonic devices for blood pressure measurements in anesthetized and conscious dogs. Research in veterinary science. 2014 Aug 1;97(1):111-7.
10. Acierno MJ et al. ACVIM consensus statement: Guidelines for the identification evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32(6):1803-1822.
11. Ateca et al. Evaluation of the relationship between peripheral pulse palpation and Doppler systolic blood pressure in dogs presenting to an emergency service. J Vet ECC 2018;28(3)226-231.
Link to the book Small Animal Anesthesia Techniques 2nd ed.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781119710868
Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds
In this episode of the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds podcast we sit down with renowned veterinary anesthesiologist Dr. Sheilah Robertson to tackle the unique challenges of pediatric anesthesia. When dealing with tiny kittens and puppies, Dr. Robertson shares her expertise on how physiology, drug metabolism, and peri-anesthetic care differ in young patients. The conversation covers practical considerations such as choosing safe induction agents, managing hypothermia and hypoglycemia, and setting realistic expectations with pet owners. With her wealth of clinical experience, Dr. Robertson offers evidence-based tips and pearls that help veterinary teams feel more confident providing anesthesia to their smallest and most fragile patients.
Dr. Sheilah Robertson is an internationally recognized veterinary anesthesiologist and animal welfare advocate with a career spanning academia, clinical practice, research, and leadership. A graduate of the University of Glasgow with a PhD from Bristol, she is board-certified in anesthesia and animal welfare, and currently serves as Senior Medical Director at Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and Courtesy Professor at the University of Florida. She has published extensively on pain management and anesthesia, contributed to global guidelines such as the WSAVA Pain Council and AAFP Feline Anesthesia Guidelines, and held leadership roles including President of the ACVAA. Her contributions have earned her numerous honors, including the AVMA Animal Welfare Award and the WVA Global Veterinary Award for Animal Welfare.
